Lamp-making machine



July v228 192.5..

.L B. wHxTMoRE E'T AL LAMP MAKING MACHINE Filed Jari. 18

TTORNEY Patented July 28, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATEN JAMES BRYANT WHIEMORE AND JOI-LN EBLING FERGUSON, OF'BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, I SSIGNORS TQ WESTINGHGUSE LAMP COMPANY, A. CORPORATN 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

LAMP-MAKING MACHINE.

Application led January 18, 1922. Serial No. 530,149.

To' aZZ- whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES BRYANT vVlfrn'rraionn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bloomfield, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, and JOHN EBLINGFERGUSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bloomield,rin the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lamp-Making Machines, of which' the following is a specification.

This invention relates vto mechanism employed in the manufacture of incandescent electric lamps of the tipless type and more particularly to a holder for supporting the mount of such lamps during their consoli dation with the bulbs thereof.

@ne object of the invention is to provide a support or chuck in which the exhaust tube of a mount may be quickly and conveniently inserted for disposition in a given relation to the bulb.

Another object is to provide a chuck which shall automatically align the axial line of a mount coincident with the axial line of a positionedl bulb.

A further object is to provide a supporting device which shall support a mount in such manner as to avo'id accidental movement thereof, during successive operations that are necessary to the manufacture of a lamp.

The manufacture of incandescent electric lamps demands a comparatively high degree' of accuracy during the operation in which the lamp bulb is sealed to4 the mount,

the latter including the internal structureof the lamp together with th `filament. In 'the tipless type of incan escent electric lamps, the mount is provided with. an exhaust tube for the purpose of affording communication to the interior vof the bulb after the mount is sealed thereto, such communication being necessary for evacuating the lamp. Itis common in lamp-making machinery to support the mount, while it -is being sealed to the bulb, by means of the exhaust tube, a holder or chuck being en.- ployed for that purpose.

taposing the mount with respect to thebulb, the former' must be positioned with itsaxial Imaking machine,

line coincident with theaXial lineof the' bulb, which is supported by. a part of the mechanism termed the sealing-in head. The head is provided with meztns for supporting the bulb with its axial line coincident with that of the head.`

The present invention meets rthe abovementioned requirements by providing a holder or chuck in which the exhaust tube of a mount maybe inserted and gripped, vand centered with its axial line coincident with th'e'axial line of the bulb, positioned in a sealing-in head. Furthermore, it provides a chuck which requires no manual adjustment for securing tubes of differentV diameters. l 'i i The invention will be' more fully understood by `reference to the accompanying drawing in which,

Fig.l l isa vertical sectional View of the improved mount-holder,; j

Fig. 2is a transverse section of the mount-- Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of Fig. l,

r oFFlcsQ partly in section, showing, more clearly, the

member which carries the jaws;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section of the mount-holder taken on line "lV-ll/v, indicated in Fig. 1; and i Fig. 5 shows the mount-holder in association with the sealing-in head of a-lampthe lower portion of the mount-holder being in section.

The mount-holder illustrated in the drawing comprises an outer casing having an in tei-nal tubular member for carrying a plurality of sets of p jaws being so disposed as to provide a threepoint contact for engaging an object inserted within the holder. The gripping jaws may be actuated by the vertical reciprocation of the tubular member, any suitable means being employed for this purpose.

In the drawing', my improved mountholder is, asa whole, designated by thereferencenumeral 6, and in Fig. 5 it is shown as commonly employed in semi-aut@ The sealingin `heady is sal gripping jaws, each'set of V associated with what istermed a sealing-in Owing to the required accuracy when juxy machines for sealingv electric lampe.

Eli

indiceted in dotted lines and may-comprise 'n standard l' having; u control bearing or o l hollow shaft 8 and. a pair laterally ois-v f and the arms 13 and le may be actuated by suitable mechanism to grip and release a bulbf The sealing-in head is rotatably mounted in an arm of a conveyor or spider 15, which constitutes a part of a tipless lampmiaking machine. The conveyor may be moved by any suitable ineens and during such movenient the head or heads that are carried thereon may be independently rotated. rlhis rotation of the heads is accomplished by the provision ot' a pulley 16, fastened to the lower end of the bearing 8, and the pulley may be either` continuously or intermittently rotated by Contact with a moving belt (not shown), thus imparting rotation to the scaling-in head. The sealing-in head and otbe mechanism, such as the conveyor and driving mechanism above described, is old and forms no part of the present invention; but is partly shown and described "for a more complete understanding of my invention, which shows a mount-holder associated with the above described sealingdn head, in which the said mountholder is supported in the bearingr 8: thus the vertical axis of the ,head and the vertical axis of the holder are made to eoin eide. A' machine ot' the above character embodying certain novel features not claimed herein is shown in our copendineT application, Serial No. 488,754, tiled August l, 1921.

'lfhe mountholder G, which has been per fected by us, is secured to the hollow shaft 8 by means of a set screwv 17, .Whichis threaded in the bearing 8 and engages a llongitudinal slot'tl that is provided in the holder. rlhis construction permits the holder to be vertically reciprocated without rotation thereof.

Prefcrablj,l the mount support 6 comprises o plurality of coneentrically disposed tubular members inelinlinp, an outer casing 18,

an inner tube 19 and an intermediate tube 2l.

titl

vThe intermediate tube and the casing may be Secured together to provide an increased thickness of wall between the outer casing and the inner tube. The thickened wall per: mits recesses 22 and 23 to be disposed about the tube 19 for the purpose ol allowing for the .trios/ement of gripping; members, more fully described hereinattenl r i V 1 the gripping members the present naar? vention comprise two sete o' balls or jaws 2e, there being three balls to each set. The balls or jaws ot' each set of gripping ineinbers are positioned in a common plane that is disposed at rightangles to the axial line of the holder and, when moved to grip an object, provide a three-point Contact. The balls are seated in recesses 25 in the Wall of the tube 19, the recesses being ot suitable dimensions to permit free lateral movement 'of the balls therein. The aperture produced in the interior wall of the tube 19 by the recesse-s 25 may be peened over to prevent the admission of an entire ball into the tube, but permitting enough movement to give a desired variation in the distance between the balls, so that they may be positively moved toward the axial line of the holder and secure objects ol' dilerent diameters.

The upper edges 26 of the recesses 22 and 23 are tapered or beveled and so disposed with relation to the balls that when t-he tubular member 19 is reciprocated by mechanism to be hereinafter described, each set of balls or jaws is simultaneously thrust toward the axial line of the holder to irmly secure an object, positioned in the. tube 19, on the axial line thereof.

Figure l of the drawing shows the gripping ineinbers in Contact with the tapered surfaces rEhe said members are, however, normally maintained out oi' contact with the said surtaces and consequently tree from arri7 gripping action. rlhe normal pocured to the lower end of the inner tube. 19.4

Hereinafter, the inner tubel) which carries the gripping members or balls will be termed a ball-carrier- When using the mount-holder in connection with a sealing-in machine., it is only necessary to secure a mount loro. given interval during the rotation ol the conveyor. Any suitable .means may, therefore, be provided for actuating the ball-carrier at a given point in the path of travel of the headoa cam 3,0 beingf shown for this purpose. As the conveyor rotates, the lower end 31 ot' the ball-carrier 19 traverses the surface of the cam 80 and is gradually raised to bring the balls 25 into Contact with the tapered surfaces 2G, whereby the balls are tendsto cover all changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An incandescent electric lamp mountholder comprising a casing, a plurality of sets of gripping members, each set being po-. sitioned in a diferent plane and a plurality 'of longitudinal air passages within said holder.

2. An incandescent electric lamp mountholder comprising a casing, a plurality of sets of gripping members, each Set'being po sitioned in a diierent plane, an air passage within said holder and a plurality of air outlets therefrom.

3. An incandescent electric lamp mountholder, comprising a casing, a pluralityot' sets of gripping members, a carrier for said members, a plurality of longitudinal air passages intermediate said casing and said carrier and means adjacent said carrier whereby a ref n'ocation thereof actuates said members to grip a lamp mount inserted in said holder,

4. An incandescent electric lamp mountholder, comprising a casing, a plurality of sets of gripping members,v a carrier for said members, a plurality of longitudinal air passages intermediate said casing and said carrier, means adjacent,said carrier whereby a reciprocation thereof actuates said members to grip a lamp-mount inserted in said holder, and a plurality of air outlet oriiices' at an end of said holder whereby jets of air may be ejected from the air passages.

5. An incandescent electric lamp mountholder, comprising a casing, a plurality of sets of spherical members, each set being disposed in a diil'erent plane, 'a carrier for said members slidable longitudinally of said casing and means adjacent said members whereby a unidirectional movement of said carrier etl'ects a movement of said members to engage a body positioned ltherebetween.

6. An incandescent electric lamp moun"- holder, comprising a casinlg normally secured from vertical movement, a plurality of sets of spherical members'gQ'each set' being -disposed in a different plane, a carrier for `saidmembers disposed axially within said casing and slidable longitudinally thereof, means adjacent said members whereby a movement of said carrier efects a move-ment ofsaid ,members radiallyf of said casing.

7. An incandescent `electric lamp mountholder, comprising a casing, a plurality of sets of spherical members, each set'being positioned in a 'different plane, a tubular carrier for said members axially disposed within said casing, a tubular member intermediate the easingand the carrier, a plurality of sets of ra'dially disposed 'recesses in said tubular member for the-partial reception of said spherical members, ta ered surfaces Within said recesses where y a movement ofsaid carrierl effects an. engagement of said spherical members with said surfaces, to move the members toward the axial line'of the casing.

8. In a lamp-making 'machine having` jaws for supporting a bulb, the combination with a holder for supporting a mount, said holder comprising a casing and a plurality of sets of grippinv members, of a carrier for said members and means for actuating said carrier to juxtapose a mount in a given relation to said bulb.

9, In a lamp-making machine having jaws for supporting a bulb, the combination ,with a holder for supporting a mount, said holder comprising a casing and a plurality of sets of spherical gripping members, of means for actuating said members to grip and positionl a lamp-mount in a given relation to a bulb supported by said jaws.

j 10. In a sealing-in head having means for sup ortingla bulb with its axis coincident witi the axial line of the head, a mountholder associated with said head, said munt-holder having means for gripping a portion of a lamp mount at a plurality of points throughout its length to support said mount with its axial line substantially coincident with the axisof a bulb supported in said head.

11. In a sealing-,in head having means for supporting a bulb with its axis coincident with the axial line of said head, a mountholder associated with saidv head, said mount-holder having means for gripping a j'io'rtion of a mount at a plurality of points Athroughout its length, and means for effecting the passage of air'to given portions of said mount and bulb during the sealingin operation.

12. An incandescent lamp-mount'holder .,comprising an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, said inner memberbeing adapted to be moved vertically within said outer member and having a plurality of sets of recesses 'in different planes and-"spherical members -disposed in said recesses and adapted to be moved toward the axial line of said inner tubular member, the inner wall of said outer tubular (member having tapered surfaces so disposed with respect to said spherical members that a movement of said inner member will effect an engagement between said surfaces and said spherical members, causing said members to "grip an object whe-n positioned. within'said inner tubular member and a plurality of longitudinal air passaves inter- Ilpediate said outer and inner tubu ar mem- 13;` A head for a sealing-in machine cemprisi-'ng a lamp' mount holder, means for sfuplne termes distance in orderto provide the necessary movement inthe hoider'to `grip such objects. However, in e. sealing-in machine the entire holder is moved upwardly to position the mount with the filament slightly shove its nel position, to permit :i downward movement of the mount 'zitter it hes been VConsolidated with the bulb but While the gloss state. This downward movement ot the mount is 'culled Ae pi1ll-down,`a.nd is provided to resdjust the plastic junction be- ',tiveen the parts and avoid strains that would e herwise be created when the parts cool. 'iis pull-down operation may be effected inr any suitable manner and is usually performed by the operator. The downward movement of the mount-holder may be limbetween chamber ited bythe engagement of an adjustable stopy member with the upper end ot the shaft 8. Any suitable stop member may be employed, theone'shown comprising e collar 32 wht-ich is slideiole upon the upper portion hij the stein holder and is provided with e set 'screw 33 for maintaining it in a given position.' i l The operation ot sealing` the bulb to the mount requires that s plurality oit air-jets vbe direeted against the phistic portion of the bulb during` the heating operation ineident to consolidation of the mount to the bulb, and this invention provides air y asguided through e funnei-shsped coller 36 that is secured to the lower end ont the easing 18. `iir nozzles 'ere provided et siiitebie points in the path of rotation of the head, and s suitably operiited vvsilve causes e discharge of sir when the colleixregisters over e nozzle.

rlfhus the mount-.holder not only supports the stem, butV provides for the admission ot' air through the passages 35, Whieh ere disposed the intermediate 'tube 2t end the outer oir-.sing 18 and ere connected et the upper end ot the holder with an ennuier 37, from which the sir passes oiig'h :i plurality of apertures 38 to per i rm its required function. The holder is eiso Capable of vertical movement `While the 'mount is grippi'ad therein,

thus providing tor s vertical edpistinent oi the mount during' sealing-in operation.

' In practicing@1 the invention, the exhaustl tube 39 of :i mount is positioned within the "holder when the gripping' ii'ieii'ibers fire in their nori'niii or retracted positions i bulb di vis then positioned over the mount end is secured by the jews that ire carried on the arms 13 and 14. The mount is then disposed in :i temporary position with re` ls'pect'to 'the bulb and is ready to be move-d Tnpwogiily. v The. conveyor then rotates und,

at esuiteble point, the oem surface engege-s with the end 31 oit the tube 19, whereby the bells are niovedinto contact 'with the nt the point ot union is in e. plasticV beveled edges 26 und are, consequently, caused to gri'ipfthe exhaust tube 89 that is disposed4 'iii the holder.

The cum 3U is, however` so constructed as to cause a 'further upward movement of the bull-eziiriei :is the conveyor continues its movement, and the gripping members heving made contact with the exhaust tube, are oppozed. Further rotation of the conveyor causes the iipwzird movement of the carrier 19 and, consequently, eli'ects an upward movement of the' entire iiiount-holder 6, in opposition to a helical spring` ti that is disposed between the collar 36 und the pulley 16. This spriircJl acts to normally ii'iiiiiit-iiin the holder 6 in zi lower position, witlitlie stop'iiieii'iber 3Q in Contact with the upper end of the bearing 8,

The movement oi' the conveyor is terminoted when the iiiouiit-holdei is properly positioned and the proper relation exists between the mount und the bulb 42, is is indicated in dotted lines in Fig 5. Suitble Jdenies are then Caused to play upon the bulb und the sealing operation is performed, after which the `conveyor is moved to position another head for the sealing-in op eration. As the conveyor' moves the heed :iwziy from the :position at which the sealing-iii operation was performed, the end 31 of the carrier l'rid'es on the cam 30, which incliiies downwardly. rthus the holder moves downwardly through the action ot' the spring; 4.1. During the early `downward movement of the holder, the bells 24- n'iiiintein their grip'iipon-the exhaust tube and the pulldown opere-tion is performed. the stop member 32 then engages the upper end oit the bearing 8, thereby lin'iitiifig` the' downwardmovement of casing i8. As the conveyor `continues to move the heed, the downward slope of the cam permits the downward movement of the; carrier l) iinder the action ot' the spring 27, so that at ii predetermined position the carrier hes been moved sufficiently to'release the bells 2st from engagement with the tapered surfaces 2(3,thereby releasing the exhaust tube and permitting the removal ot' the consolidated mount and bull y From the foregoing;` description, it will be appreciated that greet advantage is derived by the use of this invention, that the mount may be quickly und conveniently centrale ized in a, head ot' a sealing-in machine and that the provision ot two 'three-point coiitiiets in dii'ercnt planes along the lengt-h et the exhaust tribe gives the' necessary rigidity to the mount during the sealing-in operation und Aavoids the possibility oic lateral movement, thereby iii-- siiring si. finished lamp with e mount iii the desired relation to the bulbx lt will be. understood that this invention may be embodied in many other forms than places. Y 14., Ahead .foi` a sealing-in machine com-v .-'prising aV lamp mopnt holde r, meafns for -supporting gb'ulb i'n a predetermined relaf tion to saidmountholder, said holder comv' 'porting a bulb. iii a pi'edetemied relation to said holder, Said holder hvipg means for lgripping thetubular portion of-,the moiint at -a plurali/ty Soi points at eaeh of several prising an inner andfan o uter sleeve, 'ai plu# .rality ofsets'of'gri' ping members -pos'i-l 'ticmed in' the wall of t e inner srleevenand iii 

